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#2 Best Colleges in Iowa

Drake Admission Requirements

Des Moines, Iowa

 2 Reviews

Your chances of getting into Drake University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

69.1%
Admission Difficulty for Drake University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Very High 
Applicant Competition Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Drake is 69.1%.  Its admission rate is the 8th lowest in Iowa.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Drake and can you get accepted?

Drake is a moderately competitive school to get into. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet the criteria. Last year, 5,479 out of the 7,932 who applied were admitted.

The school has very high admission requirements, generally admitting students who can score in the top 24 percent on standardized admission tests. Drake University typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.7. 14% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Drake?

69% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Drake University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.7 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1300 on the SAT
  • Score 28 on the ACT
  • Submit letters of recommendation from your teachers

Drake GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.7

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into Drake University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Drake are to have around a 3.7 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school GPA meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will be accepted as Drake accepts 69% of students who apply.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Drake is 3.7 on the 4.0 scale. 32% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #4 in Iowa for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Drake is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Drake University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 32.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 26.0% Avg
3.50 to 3.74 16.0% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 11.0% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 8.0% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 6.0% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 1.0% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

Drake SAT Scores

Test Optional

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Drake University. If you submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 14% of students submitted SAT scores and 43% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1190-1410

Applicants Submitting SAT 

14%
SAT Scores for Drake University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 600
Math 25th Percentile 590
Composite 25th Percentile 1190
SAT Scores for Drake University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 710
Math 75th Percentile 700
Composite 75th Percentile 1410
Average SAT Score 1300

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Drake University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Drake is 1300 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1190-1410. Students who get into Drake University score in the top 26 percent of all SAT test takers..  Drake ranks #2 in the state of Iowa and #155 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1300 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Drake regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1190 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1190, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1080, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Drake University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "considered but not required".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1300 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1300, you have around a 69% chance of being admitted. A 1410 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 81% chance of getting in.

Drake University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1410 and Above Good >81%
1300 to 1410 Avg + 69%-81%
1190 to 1300 Avg - 54%-69%
1080 to 1190 Reach 38%-54%
Less than 1080 Low <38%
Calculate My Chances 

Drake ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

25-31 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

43%
ACT Scores for Drake University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 24
Math 25th Percentile 24
Composite 25th Percentile 25
ACT Scores for Drake University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 32
Math 75th Percentile 29
Composite 75th Percentile 31
Average ACT Score 28

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Drake?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Drake is 28, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 25 and 31.  The school ranks #2 in Iowa and #181 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 28. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 25 and score in the score in the top 22 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 22.

43 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Drake University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Drake University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "considered but not required".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Drake for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 28 score has around 69% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 81% with a 31 ACT score.

Drake University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
31 and Above Good >81%
28 to 31 Avg + 69%-81%
25 to 28 Avg - 54%-69%
22 to 25 Reach 38%-54%
Less than 22 Low <38%
Calculate My Chances 

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Drake University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 4,707 3,224 7,932
Accepted 3,378 2,101 5,479
Acceptance Rate 72% 65% 69%
Enrolled 486 273 759
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 14% 13% 14%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Drake University is $0. The school is free to apply to.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Drake University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Drake University Application Requirements
Test Scores Considered but not required
High School GPA Required
High School Class Rank Neither required nor recommended
Completion of College Preparatory Program Recommended
Recommendations Recommended
Demonstration of Competencies Neither required nor recommended

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Drake University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Drake is moderately competitive, you have a strong chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.7 GPA, you have a very good likelihood of getting in. A 1300 on the SAT and 28 on the ACT will further lock in your application.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Drake University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=153269 IPEDS survey data for Drake University.

FAQs

Does Drake University prefer SAT or ACT?

14% of students submit their SAT scores to Drake. 43% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.

What is my chance of getting into Drake University?

69% of those who apply are granted admission to Drake. Admission competition is low and the college has very high admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.

What SAT score is required for Drake University?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 1190 and 1410. The average SAT score is 1300. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.

What ACT score is required for Drake University?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 25 and 31. The average ACT score is 28. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.